WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog/media/feedlogo.gif WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/California takes bigger chunk out of paychecks, will other states follow suit?http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/02/california-takes-bigger-chunk-out-of-paychecks-will-other-state/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/02/california-takes-bigger-chunk-out-of-paychecks-will-other-state/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/02/california-takes-bigger-chunk-out-of-paychecks-will-other-state/#commentsFiled under: ,

Californians like me will see less money in their next paycheck because, like it or not, we're being forced to give an interest-free loan to the financial basket-case of a state we live in. As of November 1, California is withholding 10% more in income taxes from residents' paychecks. The move is expected to reap $1.7 billion that will be used to plug the holes in the state deficit and keep some money in its rapidly-dwindling coffers.

So officially it's not a tax increase. California will repay the extra withholding in April when it calculates tax refunds -- those getting a refund will get a larger one while those who owe taxes will owe less. And state tax officials who say the increase will hardly be felt by workers. A worker earning $51,000 with no dependents and one withholding allowance will see his weekly withholding rate go up $4. (The Sacramento Bee has a chart of withholding increase scenarios for some single and married taxpayers.) Still, with nine weeks left to go in 2009, that $36 could come in handy for a holiday present or a utility bill.

Continue reading California takes bigger chunk out of paychecks, will other states follow suit?

California takes bigger chunk out of paychecks, will other states follow suit? originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>californiacalifornia budgetCaliforniaBudgetstate income taxesStateIncomeTaxestaxesVanessa RichardsonMon, 02 Nov 2009 17:15:00 ESTFinally, Starbucks creates simpler rewards cardhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/02/starbucks-creates-simpler-rewards-card-and-throws-in-a-free-drin/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/02/starbucks-creates-simpler-rewards-card-and-throws-in-a-free-drin/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/02/starbucks-creates-simpler-rewards-card-and-throws-in-a-free-drin/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Last Christmas, I got a Starbucks gift card for $50 from my boss (a nice gift but with a semi-intentional hint that caffeine may help me do a better job).

I used it up within a month but when a barista tried to lure me into getting the Starbucks Rewards Gold card, I wasn't even tempted. Paying a $25 annual fee upfront for the right to 10% discounts on coffees didn't seem like a deal when I didn't know if I'd have the money for the remaining 90% of the cost of my once-daily lattes.

Guess I'm not the only one who felt that way, and Starbucks got the hint. It recently announced it is consolidating its Starbucks Card and Gold Card reward programs into a free, easier-to-follow customer loyalty program called "My Starbucks Rewards" that launches Dec. 26.

Continue reading Finally, Starbucks creates simpler rewards card

Finally, Starbucks creates simpler rewards card originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>coffeecustomer loyaltyCustomerLoyaltyrewardsrewards programrewards programsRewardsProgramRewardsProgramsstarbucksstarbucks coffeeStarbucksCoffeeVanessa RichardsonMon, 02 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST'Cash for Appliances' program starts this springhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/29/cash-for-appliances-program-starts-this-spring/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/29/cash-for-appliances-program-starts-this-spring/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/29/cash-for-appliances-program-starts-this-spring/#commentsFiled under: , ,

This year, you got paid for tossing out the clunker car. Next year, you'll be rewarded for getting rid of the energy-inefficient washer or fridge. Many states will be sponsoring a "Cash for Appliances" program, similar to "Cash for Clunkers" in that you'll be paid for doing a big spring cleaning of your old appliances and buying those labeled with the Energy Star seal.

This is part of the federal government's economic stimulus plan -- it set aside $300 million in rebates for buying energy-efficient products, and state governments had to send detailed plans to Washington by earlier this month to explain how they would give that money away. So unlike Cash for Clunkers, each state is in charge of its own Cash for Appliances program.

California, for example, will focus on rebates for just three standard appliances. It will give $100 for the purchase of an Energy Star-approved clothes washer, $75 for a refrigerator and $50 for a room air-conditioner. Those rebates are in addition to any additional rebates offered by the state utility company supplying your electricity and the appliance manufacturer you buy from. The program is supposed to start in early spring.

Continue reading 'Cash for Appliances' program starts this spring

'Cash for Appliances' program starts this spring originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>appliancescash for clunkersCashForClunkershomerebateVanessa RichardsonThu, 29 Oct 2009 10:00:00 ESTProduct-pushing bloggers must fess up by December 1http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/29/product-pushing-bloggers-must-fess-up-by-december-1/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/29/product-pushing-bloggers-must-fess-up-by-december-1/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/29/product-pushing-bloggers-must-fess-up-by-december-1/#commentsFiled under: ,

Have you ever wondered if that blogger is really a flogger pushing a product or service just a little too hard?

Starting December 1, bloggers promoting any kind of stuff from a company must admit if they got cash or gifts to do so. This means blogging will be goverment-regulated for the first time. The new rules don't apply to you if you tried the new Italian restaurant down the street and go onto your own personal blog to rave about how it was the best meal ever. They do apply to you if the restaurant gave you a big discount, a free meal or other goodies just to spur you to rave about it in your blog. This means bloggers must follow the rules, care of the Federal Trade Commission, that every advertiser already does now, making information they give about products more accurate for those of us reading them. (Uos WalletPop bloggers have to follow traditional journalism rules when it comes to our posts -- we don't take cash or gifts from companies to write about them, we just write the cold, hard truth and our honest opinions.)

Continue reading Product-pushing bloggers must fess up by December 1

Product-pushing bloggers must fess up by December 1 originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>advertisementadvertisingbloggerbloggingftcproduct placementProductPlacementVanessa RichardsonThu, 29 Oct 2009 08:00:00 ESTAvon lady calling but is anyone opening up doors to direct-sales reps?http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/28/avon-lady-calling-but-is-anyone-opening-up-doors-to-direct-sales/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/28/avon-lady-calling-but-is-anyone-opening-up-doors-to-direct-sales/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/28/avon-lady-calling-but-is-anyone-opening-up-doors-to-direct-sales/#commentsFiled under: ,

Avon lipstickLooking for work, any kind of work? Have you considered direct sales? My friend Shira did. I got a Facebook announcement from her over the weekend: "I've decided to become an Avon Lady!"

"Wow, those are still around?" I asked myself. Sure enough, Avon sales reps are worldwide, and the company touts the job of selling its cosmetics as an easy, breezy way to do business. You can earn up to 50% commission, work from home and be your own boss. You could even be the next Debbie Davis, an English woman who turned to selling Avon cosmetics five years ago after losing her job and was just crowned Britain's top Avon lady for earning more than half a million dollars (U.S.) a year.

Continue reading Avon lady calling but is anyone opening up doors to direct-sales reps?

Avon lady calling but is anyone opening up doors to direct-sales reps? originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>avonavon productsAvonProductscareerdirect salesDirectSalesjobsVanessa RichardsonWed, 28 Oct 2009 15:00:00 ESTReverse mortgages could be the next housing scamhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/27/reverse-mortgages-could-be-the-next-housing-scam/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/27/reverse-mortgages-could-be-the-next-housing-scam/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/27/reverse-mortgages-could-be-the-next-housing-scam/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

My mother-in-law is divorced, newly retired and wants to enjoy her Golden Years. Because she just turned 62 and owns her house, she considered a reverse mortgage to turn her home equity into a steady income stream every month.

But after I gave her the highlights of a new report from the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) that said, in short, reverse mortgages have the potential to start another subprime-style financial crisis, she decided to look elsewhere.

Walletpop's Mitch Lipka posted in July how the FBI issued a warning about reverse mortgages and the number of scam artists eyeing them greedily.

Continue reading Reverse mortgages could be the next housing scam

Reverse mortgages could be the next housing scam originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>home loansHomeLoansmortgagesreversemortgagesscamscamssenior citizensSeniorCitizensseniorsVanessa RichardsonTue, 27 Oct 2009 18:00:00 ESTCollege for $99 a month?http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/12/college-for-99-a-month/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/12/college-for-99-a-month/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/12/college-for-99-a-month/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I do some tutoring in Spanish and essay writing for high school and community college students, and my heart goes out to them for what they're facing right now -- constant tuition hikes, a scramble to get the student loans and classes they need, and the fear of graduating with a load of debt and no job prospects whatsoever.

So when I came across this Washington Monthly article on a company that only charges $99 a month for online courses in entry-level subjects, I sent it to a few students to get their take. Here were a few of their comments:

"Sounds like this could save me and my mom a lot of money."

"If this article is right, I'll learn more this way than by sitting in a hall with hundreds of other students."

"Are these really accredited courses? Hell, with the help my school is giving me with getting into required courses, I'll try anything!"

Continue reading College for $99 a month?

College for $99 a month? originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>collegeeducationVanessa RichardsonMon, 12 Oct 2009 08:00:00 ESTGen Y is staying away from the banks and Wall Streethttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/09/gen-y-is-staying-away-from-the-banks-and-wall-street/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/09/gen-y-is-staying-away-from-the-banks-and-wall-street/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/09/gen-y-is-staying-away-from-the-banks-and-wall-street/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Just like the Great Depression shaped the financial mindset of our grandparents and great grand-parents, so the Great Recession right now is doing a similar thing to teens and twentysomethings.

They don't trust banks, don't plan to invest in the stock market, they don't even want to get insurance. Microsoft funded a study done by KRC Research that surveyed 500 "Milennials" ages 18 to 29 about their take on personal finance.

Their trust in the U.S. government and the financial markets are shot but unlike their parents, who usually have some experience with investing in stocks, mutual funds and retirement plans, this younger generation doesn't want to touch those with a 10-foot pole.

Continue reading Gen Y is staying away from the banks and Wall Street

Gen Y is staying away from the banks and Wall Street originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>banksfinancial crisisFinancialCrisisgeneration yGenerationYinsuranceinvestingmillenialssurveywall streetWallStreetVanessa RichardsonFri, 09 Oct 2009 12:02:00 ESTA good argument for not buying health insurancehttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/28/a-good-argument-for-not-buying-health-insurance/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/28/a-good-argument-for-not-buying-health-insurance/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/28/a-good-argument-for-not-buying-health-insurance/#commentsFiled under: ,

DiceThis post is really targeted to the self-employed and non-insured among you. (You lucky still-employed workers with health benefits, you're excused for now.) I just want to offer this interesting op-ed piece by Chicago-based health care writer J. Duncan Moore, Jr. as food for thought, because he gives good reasons for why it's not worth having health insurance -- and how it's possible to profit without it.

I have individual coverage by Anthem Blue Cross, who, without any notice, just upped my monthly premium 21 percent. To afford the payments, I moved from a $2,500 deductible to a $5,000 deductible last year. A month after that move, Blue Cross upped my premium 15 percent. My "who needs this crap" attitude was stoked after reading Moore's point of view.

After losing his job and seeing his $447-a-month COBRA coverage about to expire, Moore decided not to get an individual plan. His reasoning: he's a healthy person who eats right, sleeps enough and has no family history of major diseases. So, Moore decides, "Why shouldn't I create my own network and find providers who would give me a discount for paying cash?" Putting his plan into practice, he went to his doctor for a checkup. His visit was billed at $100 but discounted to $65, and routine cholesterol tests were marked down from $195 to $110. "I wrote two checks on the spot. There was no paperwork, no correspondence, no phone calls, no arguing about deductibles or co-pays, for me or for the doctor's office. And the doctor got his money immediately."

This is where he tips into a part of U.S. health care that is changing and needs to change: patients knowing the price of medical treatments upfront. " Most doctors don't like to cite a price in advance, but as the U.S. health system moves toward asking patients to pay a greater share of the bill, doctors are going to have to become more responsive to their patients' cost sensitivities."


Continue reading A good argument for not buying health insurance

A good argument for not buying health insurance originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>health carehealth insurancehealth insurershealthcareHealthInsuranceHealthInsurersmedical billsmedical insuranceMedicalBillsMedicalInsuranceVanessa RichardsonMon, 28 Sep 2009 11:00:00 ESTThe most expensive fence in the U.S.http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/18/the-most-expensive-fence-in-the-u-s/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/18/the-most-expensive-fence-in-the-u-s/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/18/the-most-expensive-fence-in-the-u-s/#commentsFiled under: ,

As my husband is training for the Border Patrol right now (the reason: steady job and good government benefits in a bad economy) and we'll be moving to West Texas at the end of the year, I took particular interest in this just-released report from the Government Accounting Office about the cost of border security. Its findings aren't just relevant to Border Patrol staff and their spouses, it should interest every taxpayer.

In a nutshell, it will cost $6.5 billion over the next 20 years to maintain the fence along the U.S.-Mexico border. However, despite the fact that $2.4 billion has already been spent to build 633 miles of fence along the southwest border, there's no way to evaluate cost-wise whether the fence has helped to control the flow of illegal immigrants.

Continue reading The most expensive fence in the U.S.

The most expensive fence in the U.S. originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>border controlborder crossingborder fenceborder patrolborder securityBorderControlBorderCrossingBorderFenceBorderPatrolBorderSecurityfeaturedgovernmentillegal aliensillegal immigrationIllegalAliensIllegalImmigrationtaxpayersVanessa RichardsonFri, 18 Sep 2009 18:00:00 ESTAre you a sucker for shopping at outlet malls?http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/17/are-you-a-sucker-for-shopping-at-outlet-malls/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/17/are-you-a-sucker-for-shopping-at-outlet-malls/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/17/are-you-a-sucker-for-shopping-at-outlet-malls/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Remember when you had to drive into the middle of nowhere to find a factory outlet store? From my house in Sacramento, I had to drive two hours to Gilroy, the Garlic Capital of the World, to shop at one, but it was worth the travel because I knew I was going to score a great deal on designer goods, however "irregular" they may have been.

Now, factory outlets -- excuse me, "designer outlet malls" as they're now termed -- are everywhere. I pass two outlet malls on the 90-mile drive to San Francisco. There's even one in the Napa Valley, where plenty of upscale oenophile residents can afford to pay full price. These outlet malls are ubiquitous in California -- and so are the stores in them (Nine West, Brooks Brothers, Bass, Polo).

Continue reading Are you a sucker for shopping at outlet malls?

Are you a sucker for shopping at outlet malls? originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>brooks brothersBrooksBrotherscoachellen ruppel shellEllenRuppelShelloutletoutletsoutletstoresshoppingVanessa RichardsonThu, 17 Sep 2009 09:00:00 ESTPrepaid cards are filled with pitfallshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/10/prepaid-cards-are-filled-with-pitfalls/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/10/prepaid-cards-are-filled-with-pitfalls/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/10/prepaid-cards-are-filled-with-pitfalls/#commentsFiled under: ,

Soon after WalMart announced it will pay employees without direct-deposit banking via debit cards, Consumers Union, the organization that publishes Consumers Reports, came out with this in-depth review of "prepaid cards" and why they suck...I mean, why they're "second-tier banking account substitutes." I

n a nutshell, here's why:
  • The fees you're charged to use them are multiple, high and confusing.
  • They don't provide great protection when someone steals your card or uses the card account numbers.
  • Their promises to give you a credit line or build a credit record can be expensive and overblown.
  • Unlike bank accounts, prepaid cards aren't FDIC-guaranteed, meaning you may not recover all your money if the issuing bank goes under.

Continue reading Prepaid cards are filled with pitfalls

Prepaid cards are filled with pitfalls originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>bank accountBankAccountbankingdirect depositDirectDepositfeesprepaid-cardsprepaidcardsverizon wirelessVerizonWirelesswalmartVanessa RichardsonThu, 10 Sep 2009 09:00:00 ESTHoliday flying will be cheaper, but book it soonhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/09/holiday-flying-will-be-cheaper-but-book-it-soon/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/09/holiday-flying-will-be-cheaper-but-book-it-soon/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/09/holiday-flying-will-be-cheaper-but-book-it-soon/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

According to the "Fareologist" at Bing Travel, Microsoft's new travel search site, holiday air travel will be cheaper than last year.

Airfare for Thanksgiving travel around the U.S. will average $327, down 22% from last year. Christmas and New Year's holiday airfare will average $353, down 17%.

But of course with lower ticket prices, planes will be fuller, so it's wise to book your ticket now to avoid the dreaded middle seat. Another good reason to plan ahead: Air fares won't be decreasing as the holidays near.

Fareologist Joel Grus does recommend watching for holiday price drops in the first half of October. "Since 2006, most Christmas itineraries saw price drops in the first two weeks."

Still if you see a good fare for your specific days of travel, jump on the next good fare you see as fares typically increase as the holiday season gets closer.

However, if you're flexible with your travel dates, you can save a few bucks. Bing Travel data says returning the Monday after Thanksgiving instead of Sunday can can yield a savings of $35 per ticket. Christmas doesn't offer the same savings opportunities, but if you travel on Christmas Day, you'll save an average of $45 per ticket -- not including all the fees for checked and overweight luggage, of course.

For more Black Friday coverage, check out our Black Friday Deals and other Black Friday 2009 news today.

Holiday flying will be cheaper, but book it soon originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>airfareairfaredealsairfaresairfaresalesairlineairlinesairplaneholiday travelHolidayTravelVanessa RichardsonWed, 09 Sep 2009 10:00:00 ESTSave California: Twitter your suggestions to the Governatorhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/08/save-california-twitter-your-suggestions-to-the-governator/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/08/save-california-twitter-your-suggestions-to-the-governator/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/08/save-california-twitter-your-suggestions-to-the-governator/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Got a good idea for how to pull California back from the brink of financial failure? Twitter it to Arnold.

Last month, Governor Schwarzenegger visited Twitter's HQ for a live chat and announced the launch of MyIdea4CA.com, a state Web site that lets Twitter users submit their ideas for improving California.

Ideas can be submitted through a Twitter account with the hashtag #myidea4ca. Check out the Web site, and you'll see the various areas state government oversees that you can suggest improvements for, from Education and Elected Officials to Volunteerism and Water Management. People have been sending in some good ideas (in my politically moderate opinion); here are a few of them:
  • For education: "Steep limits on advertising during children's programming, bring back School House Rock!"
  • For elected officials: "Sarbanes-Oxley Act makes corp. officers sign off on their books. Apply same standard to state officers -- make leadership certify budget" and "Furlough them and make them go COBRA for healthcare."
  • For energy and alternative fuels: "Build state-owned generators on the aqueducts. That water never stops flowing. Use it!"
  • For the environment: "Mandate that developers install solar panels and energy efficient windows on all new sprawl homes."

Continue reading Save California: Twitter your suggestions to the Governator

Save California: Twitter your suggestions to the Governator originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>arnold schwarzeneggerArnoldSchwarzeneggercaliforniacalifornia budgetCaliforniaBudgetgovernatorgovernmentstate governmentStateGovernmenttwitterVanessa RichardsonTue, 08 Sep 2009 19:00:00 ESTA website for the non-car mechanics among ushttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/08/a-website-for-the-non-car-mechanics-among-us-hold-for-td/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/08/a-website-for-the-non-car-mechanics-among-us-hold-for-td/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/08/a-website-for-the-non-car-mechanics-among-us-hold-for-td/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

mechaniocMy '99 Volkswagen Cabrio is like an expensive mistress -- desirable and easy on the eye but expensive to keep. I know my greedy dealer's mechanics rub their hands every time it comes into the shop -- they jokingly call it "Hitler's Revenge."

Everything under the hood is run by a computer that breaks down as regularly as a needy junkie. I can't help but also wonder if being a woman who knows jack about cars also compels them to hike the price and say things like "It's too complicated to explain, but the solution we recommend is worth every penny." Sure, like when the "Check Engine" light came on the day AFTER I got my car out of the shop.

Continue reading A website for the non-car mechanics among us

A website for the non-car mechanics among us originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>auto repairautomobileAutoRepaircarcar repairCarRepaircarsVanessa RichardsonTue, 08 Sep 2009 18:00:00 ESTSmile pretty: How to find dental care on a budgethttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/08/smile-pretty-how-to-find-dental-care-on-a-budget/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/08/smile-pretty-how-to-find-dental-care-on-a-budget/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/08/smile-pretty-how-to-find-dental-care-on-a-budget/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I used to have twice-yearly teeth cleanings when I had a full-time job with great health benefits. Now that I'm self-employed with a not-as-great healthcare plan, dental insurance is an unaffordable luxury right now. I've postponed the $125 cleaning this year as other bills are more pressing, but my teeth are really looking worse for wear -- and then there's that crown my dentist tells me I can't put off getting for much longer.

Luckily, writers from the New York Times and The Los Angeles Times recently wrote how-to guides for getting dental care on a dime. A few good tips:
  • Dental schools and dental-hygiene schools: Many offer cheaper, or free dental care as students will be the ones with their hands in your mouth (with an experienced professor standing over them). They also offer free community clinics and dental vans. To find the nearest school of dentistry or dental hygiene to you, call your state dental society or association. The American Dental Association keeps a list of dental schools, and the American Dental Hygienists' does the same for dental hygiene schools.

Continue reading Smile pretty: How to find dental care on a budget

Smile pretty: How to find dental care on a budget originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>dental caredental healthdental hygieneDentalCareDentalHealthDentalHygienedentistfeaturedVanessa RichardsonTue, 08 Sep 2009 10:00:00 ESTTrack your kids' spending on PayPalhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/13/track-your-kids-spending-on-paypal/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/13/track-your-kids-spending-on-paypal/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/13/track-your-kids-spending-on-paypal/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

PayPal just officially launched its Student Account program, a way for parents to give money to their kids -- and track where it's going every step of the way.

Parents can open a PayPal account, then establish up to four PayPal sub-accounts for their kids (ages 13 and up) , transferring funds into those accounts when needed on a one-time or recurring basis. Kids can use the account online, or get access to the funds via a MasterCard debit card to spend in the real world.

Besides giving money, parents can also see where it's going. You get full visibility into your teenager's account balance, spending habits and budgeting skills. You can set permissions for how the account can be used, and can also require that your approval is required when a kid receives money in the account.

Parents can use a PC or cell phone to check account balances, transfer money, and get alerts when the kids' payments exceed a certain amount or when a specified low balance is reached

This could be a good thing. You could help your kids learn how to budget and spend money wisely at an early age, and make sure their allowance isn't being spent on beer and online gaming.

On the other hand, you could go too far on the Big Brother aspect and annoy them by prying too much into their spending history. Monitoring their transactions may be tempting, but if you put some trust in your kids' money judgment, this could be a good way to send them out of the nest with a better sense of financial matters.

Another good feature reportedly in the works: Pay Pal plans to integrate money made from the teen's part-time job into Student Accounts, so their own hard-earned money mingles with your own.

Track your kids' spending on PayPal originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>kidskids and moneyKidsAndMoneypaypalspending habitsSpendingHabitsteenagersteensVanessa RichardsonThu, 13 Aug 2009 09:00:00 ESTHey Californians, planning to buy your next car on eBay?http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/12/hey-californians-planning-to-buy-your-next-car-on-ebay/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/12/hey-californians-planning-to-buy-your-next-car-on-ebay/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/12/hey-californians-planning-to-buy-your-next-car-on-ebay/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

ebayCalifornia residents can now bid on new General Motors cars and trucks through eBay's online marketplace. Approximately 250 GM dealers in California are selling Buick, Chevrolet, GMC and Pontiac vehicles on eBay Motors, and you can either use the "Buy It Now" option or make your best offer. You can browse 2008, 2009 and 2010 vehicles, ask dealers questions and figure out financing. Non-California residents can contact California dealers to see if they're willing to sell and ship vehicles to them -- and with the auto industry still in shambles, chances are they'll agree to that.

General Motors said they started the online car-buying trial in California because there are so many tech-savvy people here, and also because it's one state where company sales historically have not been so great. I can vouch for that, as most people I know in Northern California go for foreigh brands like Honda, Toyota, BMW and Saab. Even in "red" areas of the state like the Sierra Nevada foothills and the Central Valley, the Ford F-150 is the pickup truck of choice. While I too am planning to switch out my 10-year-old Volkswagen for a Honda or Toyota when the time comes, I had to give props to GM for breaking ground and being the first to use eBay as an auto marketplace, so I decided to check out the site.

Continue reading Hey Californians, planning to buy your next car on eBay?

Hey Californians, planning to buy your next car on eBay? originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>autoautomobilecarcar shoppingCarShoppingebayebaymotorsexpire-images:2010-6-8general motorsGeneralMotorsVanessa RichardsonWed, 12 Aug 2009 12:00:00 ESTClick and save with online couponshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/08/click-and-save-with-online-coupons/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/08/click-and-save-with-online-coupons/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/08/click-and-save-with-online-coupons/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I've been looking for the back-to-school deals, and I've found plenty on Web sites offering online coupons. As retailers worry that kids and their parents won't be buying as many pencils, binders and electronics, more of them are offering special deals online at coupon-focused sites. Here's a sampler of some sites I found good deals on:
  • Savings.com: Lots of big-name retailers here, like Macy's, Target, Old Navy and Apple. Check out their special "Back to School" section, although instead of giving you a coupon code, you're usually sent to a special Web site with the retailer's specials and discounted goods. Two good ones: The Apple store is offering up to $200 off a new Mac computer for college-bound students, and REI is taking 20 percent off certain backpacks.
  • CouponWinner.com: It also has name-brand retailers like Home Depot, Target and Toys R Us. Deals right now: AT&T is taking $50 off and free shipping for new cell phones. I like the way they categorize their deals -- you can search by new coupons, most-used coupons, and coupons expiring in the next seven days.
  • RetailMeNot.com: I liked how they found printable coupons for local stores in your zip code. Looking for deals on pizza for dinner tonight, I found that Pizza Hut was offering three medium pizzas with one topping at $5 apiece. But RetailMeNot needs to do a better job keeping their coupons up to date -- I saw many coupons that had expired days, weeks and even months ago.
  • FreeCoupons.com: Check out this site's Editor's Blog, which does a good job reporting the latest deals. RIght now, it's touting deals at Target and giving a link to the retailer's printable coupons.
  • Speaking of blogs, some good ones that find good coupon deals around the Internet for parents and their kids are Mommy's Wish List (read its recent posting about tax-free shopping weekends in various states, which can save back-to-schoolers a good deal of money) and Coupon Cravings.
  • Twitter is also a good deal-scouting tool: Savings.com recently made a list of 30 deal hunters to follow for their regular tweets on coupon savings.

I'm new to online coupon-cutting but I'm finding some good everyday deals worth the price of printer ink needed to print them out. Not all online-coupon Web sites have great deals or good reps, so it's wise to rely on those that have live people to contact if you're having trouble using their coupons, and those that don't charge membership fees. For more tips, read this MarketWatch.com article by Jonathan Burton.,

Click and save with online coupons originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Sat, 08 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>back to schoolBackToSchoolcouponsonline couponsOnlineCouponsshoppingVanessa RichardsonSat, 08 Aug 2009 15:00:00 ESTDream job: Get paid $50,000 to travel the countryhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/07/dream-job-get-paid-50-000-to-travel-the-country/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/07/dream-job-get-paid-50-000-to-travel-the-country/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/08/07/dream-job-get-paid-50-000-to-travel-the-country/#commentsFiled under: ,

On the footsteps of well-publicized and well-paying job hunts to live on the Great Barrier Reef for $150,000 and blog about wine from Napa Valley for $60,000, comes the latest job recruiting extravaganza: travel the United States for 15 weeks and get paid $50,000 (plus health insurance and travel expenses!) to do so.

TheBigTrip.com is looking for someone to explore all the attractions the United States has to offer, write a blog about his/her experiences and be filmed as the host of travel webisodes.

The ideal candidate is over 18, can legally work in the U.S., and is "creative, inspired, visionary, independent, outgoing" and all the other usual adjectives fit for a media-savvy tour guide.

Speaking of media, you must be "experienced with social media," so YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and podcast pros have an edge.

This is no joke and it's not a random contest, says The BigTrip founder, a Detroit-based ad firm called Couture Abro Group.

There will be a multi-step recruitment and interview process. The job search is the focus of a big ad campaign to increase tourism awareness in the United States.

So if you think you're the one to show the world how worthy America is as a place to vacation, start preparing your pitch now -- video resumes must be turned in by Nov. 1, and the job starts in spring 2010.

Dream job: Get paid $50,000 to travel the country originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>jobstravelVanessa RichardsonFri, 07 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EST